You can now add Zootopia 2 onto your list of upcoming Disney movies because it’s finally happening, as part of the 2025 movie schedule.
Back in the 2010s, Disney Animation was really on a roll with its releases. One film that was very well received was Zootopia.
Released in 2016, Zootopia is an animated movie about a bunny named Judy who moves to the big city to become a police officer and gets herself involved in a case where predator animals are going missing. The film talks about many different social issues, including prejudice and so much more, and is critically acclaimed. The film itself earned over a billion dollars at the box office, so clearly, it was a success.
It's taken some time for Zootopia 2 to be confirmed, but thankfully, we are here to say it is happening. And here is what we know so far about it.
What Is The Zootopia 2 Release Date?
As of updating this in August 2024, Zootopia 2 will be released on November 26, 2025, according to Deadline in February 2024 – which is still the case, and truthfully, isn't that surprising.
Deadline confirmed the news that the film was happening in 2023, so the timeline makes sense that it would premiere two years later. While it's a shame it won't be premiering as part of the 2024 movie release schedule, it's great that we won't have to wait too long.
This also lines up with a consistent Disney trend. For several years, Disney Animation has released a film around Thanksgiving—this includes several of their last films of the previous decade, like Tangled, both Frozen films, the highly rewatchable Moana, Encanto, and many more. In fact, Disney is releasing Moana 2 this year in November 2024.
The Zootopia 2 Cast
While only a few cast members are confirmed for Zootopia 2 thanks to D23 2024, we still have some characters to talk about. Here are a few people you can expect to hear in Zootopia 2:
Ginnifer Goodwin as Judy Hopps
D23 2024 confirmed that Ginnifer Goodwin will be back to voice Judy Hopps in Zootopia 2.
Ginnifer Goodwin has done plenty since the first film. The actress wrapped up her time on the hit series Once Upon a Time and then had another acclaimed role on television when she starred in the anthology series Why Women Kill. She also held a prominent role in the show Pivoting, and appeared in several guest roles on many TV shows.
Jason Bateman as Nick Wilde
Also confirmed at D23 2024 is that Jason Bateman will officially be back as Nick Wilde in Zootopia 2.
Jason Bateman has done plenty in the world of Hollywood as well. The actor had a whole run with a very well-received television show on Netflix, Ozark, that earned him plenty of acclaim and awards. Aside from that, Bateman has also starred in films like Game Night, Air, and more.
Ke Huy Quan as Gary
Announced at D23 2024, Academy Award-winning actor Ke Huy Quan has joined Zootopia 2 as a snake named Gary, officially bringing reptiles into the world of Zootopia.
Quan was originally known for his role as Short Round in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom but has blown up in recent years thanks to his role in Everything Everywhere All At Once. He also held a role in Loki Season 2.
Cast Members From The First Movie Who Could Return
Aside from the few leads, no one else has been confirmed, but here are some of the other cast members of the original Zootopia that we could potentially see again:
- Idris Elba as Chief Bogo
- Jenny Slate as Dawn Bellwether
- Nate Torrence as Benjamin Clawhauser
- Bonnie Hunt as Bonnie Hopps
- Don Lake as Stu Hopps
- Tommy Chong as Yax
- J. K. Simmons as Mayor Lionheart
- Octavia Spencer as Mrs. Otterton
- Alan Tudyk as Duke Weaselton
Once we know the rest of the cast of Zootopia 2, we'll let you know!
What Is Zootopia 2 About?
The story of Zootopia 2 has remained pretty much under wraps but we did get a few key details from D23 2024. We know that with the inclusion of Gary, we know that reptiles are going to be introduced to the city, and they apparently have a “shady past” in connection to it.
Additionally, a clip was shown as D23 that featured Judy and Nick arriving at a “water-based town that includes hippos and beavers.” Nick called it “the Marsh Market” (via ScreenRant). Other than that, we don’t know that much about the upcoming story.
There are still theories about what could happen in the film. Bateman and Goodwin had theories about what they would want to happen if there were a sequel, back when the first movie came out.
In 2016, both Bateman and Goodwin interviewed with CinemaBlend on their ideas for a potential sequel, and both had intriguing ideas. Goodwin commented that she wanted to see the "script flipped" a bit and have Nick be the one to convince Judy to fight for the world if a sequel were to happen:
You and I know what happens at the end of the movie, and I would like them to along on this adventure in their new roles. But because they are playing new roles, I would also like to see Nick [Wilde] have to be the one to convince Judy [Hopps] that the world is worth fighting for.
That would honestly make for a great story – and also make their friendship that much better to watch as they balance each other out.
Bateman, on the other hand, had a more straightforward idea – one where Judy and Nick are out there, roughing up bad guys:
The two of us, kicking ass out there. Cleaning up the streets. We're a couple of new cops out there. So, bad guys, be warned.
For those who don't recall, the Zootopia ending saw Nick and Judy becoming a team, both working for the police to make the city better for its citizens after everything that happened. And truthfully, I could see them doing precisely that – kicking ass and taking names.
Zootopia 2's Rating
There isn't a set Zootopia 2 rating just yet, but I'm sure it's safe to expect that it will most likely be rated PG. Disney films rarely breach the PG-13 rating for any of their animated films.
The live-action films can stray in that direction, but the animation is made for kids most of the time, so they want to make sure the children can come to the movies.
Jared Bush Is Co-Directing
The last thing we know is that Jared Bush is co-directing Zootopia 2. The director confirmed the news on his Twitter account, saying that they had been working on the film "just fur you"—obviously, the franchise's fans. The Disinsider also said that Bush is co-directing the film with Josie Trinidad, so these two will be helming the sequel.
Byron Howard and Rich Moore directed the first film, while Bush co-wrote the screenplay. Bush, however, has also worked on Moana, and he won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature for his work on the fantastic 2021 film Encanto.
Zootopia 2 is in good hands, and I hope that we will soon get even more information. I am dying to get back to this world of animals.
